{Excerpt from interview with Steven Bryson, personal injury attorney with van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim}
My path to law wasn’t traditional. Before pursuing a legal career, I spent seven years in the entertainment industry, working on world tours. It was an exciting time, but the decision to shift gears came after a pivotal moment in my life—the George Zimmerman verdict. When Zimmerman was found not guilty of the murder of Trayvon Martin, I was deeply affected. That moment exposed the harsh realities of racial injustice in America and inspired me to use my voice and skills to advocate for those who often don’t have representation that looks like them. So, I decided to go to law school.
I’m a personal injury attorney, and I focus primarily on representing victims of sexual assault, particularly minors in juvenile placement facilities. These cases are close to my heart because I believe that representation matters, especially for victims of crime. As a Black and Hispanic gay male, I understand firsthand how critical it is for marginalized communities to see themselves in their advocates. I’ve worked hard throughout my career—from my time as an Assistant District Attorney to my role now—to be that advocate for those who feel invisible in the justice system.
Every case is unique and important, but the ones involving minors in juvenile facilities stand out the most. These children are among the most vulnerable in our society, and the trauma they’ve endured is often unimaginable. In one case, a minor suffered repeated assaults over the course of weeks. What made it particularly difficult was the level of institutional failure—the system let this child down at every turn, leaving them without the support or protection they needed. Tragically, they never had a real chance to become a productive member of society. This is exactly why I do the work I do—cases like this highlight the urgent need for systemic reform, and I’m committed to being part of that change.
My decision to focus on personal injury and sexual assault cases comes from a deep sense of responsibility. When I left the entertainment industry, I wanted to make a difference by helping people who often don’t have a voice in the legal system. I’ve seen how the law can fail victims, especially in underrepresented communities, and I felt a calling to do something about it. The work is hard, but it's also incredibly rewarding because every case we take on has the potential to change lives.